To Kill a Mocking Bird

To Kill a Mockingbird
Vocabulary

ain't - slang use for am not, is not and are not

asylum - a place that takes care of people who are physically or mentally impaired; (now they are called mental institutions)

beloved - a person who is dearly loved

blessing - short prayer said before or after a meal; good things or events

colored - an old term for African Americans that is no longer appropriate to use

Confederate - having to do with the old South from the Civil War (Confederacy - the South )

customary - what is usually done; the habits passed down from generation to generation; (custom – habit)

drool - for saliva (spit) to run from the mouth

farther - more distant away; a longer distance away

folks - people; family - parents

gasp - to breath in quickly in fear or shock

gunshots - the sound a gun makes when fired

howdy - slang for “hello”

indeed - without a doubt; for sure; truly

nearly - almost

ought – should

photographer - a person who takes pictures

picture show - the movies

pistol - a handgun

plenty - enough: a large amount

prowler - a person who sneaks around and look for things usually to steal

respect - to feel or show people politeness ; to look up to

spit - saliva; the liquid that comes from the mouth

squeak - a short shrill cry or sound, such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge or wheel

tackle - to take on and wrestle with

the Crash - when the stock market fell in 1929 and people lost a lot of money; this was the beginning of the depression and most people became poor

torment - great physical or mental pain; to cause great pain

whimper - to cry with soft sounds; whine

whip - to hit many times

wrinkle - lines on the face that come from old age; lines on a clothes, paper, etc. caused by folding or crumpling; what happens to your skin when you stay in water for a long time